The news of Kael being pathless spread quickly, as if carried by the wind itself. Within days, it wasn't just the nobles of Aetherium whispering about the young prince's failed awakening; the entire kingdom was talking about it. From the bustling markets to the quiet farmlands, everyone had an opinion.
"Can you believe it? The king's own son has no path!"
"Maybe the royal blood isn't as special as they claim."
"What does this mean for the future of Aetherium?"
The gossip didn't stop at Aetherium's borders. Messengers, merchants, and spies carried the story to neighboring countries and even across continents. In enemy nations, the news was met with laughter and mockery.
At a banquet in Draxion, Aetherium's long-standing rival, King Mardon raised a goblet of wine, grinning as he addressed his court. "To King Aedric of Aetherium! May his pathless son guide their kingdom to greatness!" The hall erupted in laughter, the sarcasm biting and cruel.
Letters soon followed, carried by diplomatic envoys who made little effort to hide their smug expressions. Each message was more insulting than the last:
"Your Majesty, we heard the tragic news about your son. Perhaps he could find work in our stables—no path is needed to shovel manure."
"Greetings from the Kingdom of Orlanth! If the young prince ever wishes to explore a career outside of royalty, we would be happy to offer him a position as a court jester."
The insults stung, not just for their words but for the boldness with which they were sent. It was as if the other kingdoms sensed weakness in Aetherium now that its future heir was seen as a failure.
Even allied nations began to grow wary. Could Aetherium remain strong with a pathless prince? Would the royal family's influence wane? Whispers of doubt and betrayal began to seep into diplomatic circles.
In Aetherium's court, the letters were read aloud during council meetings, each one driving a deeper wedge into the pride of the kingdom. The king's advisors grew restless, urging him to respond with strength. "We cannot let this stand, Your Majesty," one advisor insisted. "Our enemies will see this as an opportunity to strike."
But King Aedric said little. He read each letter in silence, his expression calm but his knuckles white as he gripped the parchment. The queen, though outwardly composed, withdrew from public appearances, spending her days in the palace gardens with Kael.
Kael, meanwhile, was only half-aware of the storm his awakening, or lack thereof, had caused. He noticed how the servants whispered when they thought he couldn't hear, how the guards avoided meeting his eyes. He saw the way his father's shoulders seemed heavier, how his mother's smiles grew sadder.
Kael sat on the edge of his bed, staring out the window at the palace gardens below. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the neatly trimmed hedges and vibrant flowers. He let out a slow breath and shook his head. It had taken a while, but now he understood what was going on.
He was pathless.
That word had started to make sense after listening to the whispers in the halls and the snide remarks of the nobles who thought he couldn't hear them. Being pathless was just a fancy way of saying he hadn't awakened to anything. No magic, no strength, no hidden power. Nothing. He was just... Kael.
And he'd read enough in those hazy memories of his past life to know how people worked. If he had awakened to some overpowered path—like summoning ancient dragons or wielding the flames of a dying star—everyone would've worshiped him like he was a god. They'd bow, cheer, and talk about how the royal bloodline was destined for greatness.
But now? Now they looked at him like he was trash.
He smirked, leaning back against the bedpost. Honestly, he didn't care. He wasn't some hero in one of those novels he used to read. He wasn't the guy who would suddenly get a secret power and change everyone's minds. He was just a kid with a second chance at life, and that was enough for him.
"I'm not the main character," he muttered to himself, a faint chuckle escaping his lips. "And that's fine."
Kael had no plans to waste this second life chasing after some grand destiny or proving himself to a bunch of people who had already made up their minds about him. He'd enjoy the little things—the food, the books, the quiet mornings, and the sunsets like this one. When his time came, it came. No big deal.
He glanced at the door when he heard footsteps passing in the hall. More whispers. Probably servants talking about how disappointing the prince was. He rolled his eyes and flopped back onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling.
"Whatever," he said with a shrug. "They can think what they want."
For now, he'd just focus on living. No expectations, no pressure. Just Kael. Or so he thought.
[Ding]
Kael blinked, looking up at the ceiling in confusion. The sound that came from nowhere—a soft chime, like a notification on his phone—made him sit up. It was strange. He hadn't expected any interruptions, not in his quiet little world.
[System Synchronizing]
He rubbed his eyes, wondering if he was just imagining things. Maybe it was just the stress or the constant whispers that were starting to get to him. But then the words stayed on the air, hanging there like they were part of the room itself.
"What the hell...?" Kael muttered to himself.
He stood up slowly, looking around, but there was nothing unusual. The room looked just as it always had: a bed, some books, a window showing the garden outside. But that message... it had come from somewhere, and it was like it was meant for him.
[System Synchronizing] It repeated, this time in his mind. The words felt... different, like a weight behind them, something that wasn't just in his imagination.
"What is this?" Kael whispered, pacing back and forth. "What kind of game is this? Is someone messing with me?"
He stopped, trying to gather his thoughts. It was all too weird. But whatever this was, it felt real. And it was something he couldn't ignore.
The thought of just brushing it off crossed his mind, but something told him this was important—maybe even the start of something he didn't quite understand.
The soft chime rang again, and the words on his mind shifted slightly:
[System Synchronizing... Initializing...]
Kael's heart skipped a beat. What was happening to him? He wasn't supposed to have anything like this. No path, no power. Just him.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. Whatever this was, he wasn't going to panic. He wasn't the type to freak out over random things. If something was going on, he'd deal with it when he could.
For now, he just waited, letting whatever this was play out.
But deep down, Kael felt something shift. Maybe he wasn't as alone in this world as he thought.